Watergate: 40 Years After the Break-in

Take a look back at the Watergate scandal, the laws passed in response to it, and key players

by Beth Rowen

The Watergate Complex

The scandal that ended the Nixon presidency began more than 40 years ago, on June 17, 1972, when five employees of Nixon's reelection campaign were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, DC. A Senate investigation and an inquiry by a special prosecutor followed. On July 30, 1974, the House Judiciary Committee issued three articles of impeachment, and Nixon resigned on Aug. 9, 1974. Public confidence in government had reached a nadir, and in response Congress several passed "good government" laws to not only to reform political campaigns but also to restore faith in elected officials.

Read about the Watergate scandal and its key players, impeachment, and legislation passed in the aftermath.